“My lord,” William said, bowing to him.
He remembered seeing Lord Hugh at court some years before and was surprised by his appearance now. Though he was a number of years older than the king, who was nearing three score, Lord Hugh looked like a man half that.
And there was something more.
Something different. A strange brightness about his figure that shimmered as he moved. Trying not to openly stare, William studied the man as he could. When Lord Hugh held his hand in greeting to William and he accepted it, William fought not to lose his balance as the heat washed over him.
“Sir William,” Lord Hugh said. His gaze narrowed and focused on him, watching his reaction to the strange sensation that had passed between them. “My apologies for such a delay in receiving you. A family matter needed to be seen to first.” Lord Hugh peered behind him, taking the measure of his men.
“I will pray for the health of your family, my lord.” William offered the polite reply, trying not to let his shock show. This was a feeling not unlike when he’d seen Brienne for the first time. But how could that be?
“Oh, aye, well,” he said. “And what brings you to Yester, Sir William? My man did not say.”
“I did not tell him, my lord, preferring to speak with you directly.”
“Alain, see to Sir William’s men.”
Lord Hugh gestured for William to follow him to the table and they sat. Once servants brought cups and wine and they’d each partaken, William knew it was time.
“My lord, the king sends his greetings to you,” he said.
“How is the king?” Lord Hugh did not flinch at his words.
“He is well.”
“And the queen?” he asked.
“She is also well,” William answered. “The king missed you at his Christmas court and wanted me to send you his greetings.”
“Ah, well. The king has little time or attention for anyone but his lovely new wife, and I did not wish to distract him from his happiness over his new marriage. I have recently had news that she already carries an heir for the king, Sir William. Is that true?”
Though the king had revealed this to him, William did not know that this news was publicly known. Deciding that the king’s closest advisors would have been told, William nodded. “Aye. The queen isenceinte.”
If he had not been watching closely, he would have missed the shadow that crossed over the man’s features. Lord Hugh was not pleased by the news of an heir to the throne of Scotland. Just then William’s birthmark burned and his blood began to heat, much as it did when he was near Brienne. What was he reacting to?
“So, what brings you to this part of Scotland?”
“I have lands in the south and was going to inspect them,” he bluffed. He and his lands were insignificant, and he suspected that Lord Hugh would have no knowledge of them. “The king asked me to stop on my journey and bring you his greetings.”
“And you are his faithful subject—are you not, Sir William de Brus?” The man smiled then, and it made his skin crawl.
“As are you, my lord.” The smile did not falter. Lord Hugh stood then, and William followed to his feet.
“You have been camping on the hill—have you not?” he asked.
“Awaiting your return, my lord.” He would not deny it—Hugh knew he had.
“You must be my guest for a few days, then, Sir William. Allow me to show you the hospitality you would have received if I’d been in residence on your arrival onmy lands.”
“My thanks for your hospitality, my lord,” he said, nodding agreement. He’d be better able to watch Lord Hugh from inside his keep.
“You should send word back to the rest of your men, so they do not think something has happened to you,” Lord Hugh urged.
So, they had been watched, and Lord Hugh knew where his men were. He probably also knew how many traveled with him and about the others. William kept his expression at ease, trying not to give too much away.
“Would you like to bring them here or send them supplies?” he asked in a tone that made it seem like having bands of armed warriors outside your gates was not something of note.
“As long as they have your permission to hunt, they will be fine, my lord.” William would assume that nothing was secret.
